The Statewide Master Gardener of the Year and the Behind the Scenes Award will be selected, from all applications that are received, by the Awards Committee. This eight-person committee will use a set of standard criteria to review all applications. These criteria are included in this packet, for your information. Also included in this packet, you will find the nomination forms for the County Master Gardener of the Year, Statewide Master Gardener of the Year and the Behind the Scenes Award.

Karl Carlson Memorial Fund

In addition, OMGA, in cooperation with the OSU Extension Service, oversees the Karl Carlson Memorial Fund. The Karl Carlson Memorial Fund commemorates the life and work of Dr. Karl Carlson, and serves as a tribute to his dedication to the Oregon Master Gardener Association, and to the Oregon State University Extension Service.

The purpose of the fund is to enhance the Oregon State University Urban Horticulture Program in the state of Oregon, by making available Oregon Master GardenerTM funds to help OSU Master Gardener Chapters, in the following ways:

In the establishment of new OSU Master Gardener Chapters.

To assist new or struggling OSU Master Gardener Chapters become better established.

In the implementation of new programs or projects related to urban horticulture, when financial assistance is needed.

Financial assistance for any of the above-described programs may be in the form of an outright grant, or a zero interest loan. For more information on Dr. Karl Carlson, and the Karl Carlson Memorial Fund, please check out the Brochure. To apply for a grant or loan through the Karl Carlson Memorial Fund, please fill out an Aplication. The aplication must be postmarked no later than May 15 of the current year.

Marje Luce Search for Excellence (SFE)

Search for Excellence (SFE) is the recognition program of Master Gardener volunteer work, both throughout the United States and Canada (at the International level), and across the State of Oregon within the OMGA. If your Master Gardener chapter has a project that you would like to have considered for a SFE award, please do not hesitate to apply. Recipients of SFE awards will receive a cash award for the chapter, and recognition at Gardeners Mini-College.

Forms are just below or you can go to the “Documents and Forms” page on this website to see the Criteria and Guidelines, a template for the Application and a template of the Verification Letter. The final date for submissions is May 15, 2017.

Submissions can be made in one of seven categories: Youth Programs, Demonstration Garden, Workshops, Community Service, Innovative Project, Special Audiences, or Research. In order to win, projects must have a score of 80 points or better (out of 100). Cash awards will be given to Chapters with the highest score in each category. The amount of the awards will depend on the number of categories with winning entries.

The judging criteria are: simplicity, practicality, originality, consistency with MG mission, clarity and completeness, significant learning, and number of people impacted. We will have as many submissions as possible give short presentations at Gardeners Mini College. In case we have more submissions than can be accommodated in the SFE presentation time slot, those submissions deemed most “presentation worthy” by the SFE judges will be given priority. Notification will be made by June 14th. All submissions are asked to have a Master Gardener available during Mini College to discuss their SFE project with attendees. We are planning to hold these discussions during one lunch period. SFE winners will be announced at the Mini College Awards Banquet.

Ray McNeilan Scholarship

In honor of retired Oregon State University Extension Service State Master Gardener Program Leader, Ray McNeilan, the Oregon Master Gardener Association (OMGA) in 1996 established a scholarship program for up to six high school students to attend Gardener’s Mini-College. By 2005, an updated agreement was established instead to award a yearly $1000 scholarship to a deserving full-time undergraduate student majoring in Horticulture at Oregon State University.

Guidelines were established for the prospective recipient. He or she will have junior or senior class standing and have a grade point average of 2.75 if a junior and 3.0 if a senior. The rewarding of this scholarship will be determined by the Department of Horticulture Scholarship Committee.

Former recipients of the monetary Ray McNeilan Scholarship are as follows:

Jan McNeilan Quarterly Grant

This grant was initiated in 2007 in honor of Jan McNeilan in order to provide monetary assistance to OMGA Chapters that host Quarterly Board meetings. These meetings are held around the state of Oregon. Executive Committee, Chapter Representatives, Alternate Chapter Representatives and various members of the host Chapter attend this meeting to discuss Association business, share best practices and gardening solutions, direct the various community outreach funding projects.

If the host chapter chooses to request partial reimbursement, a letter from the County Treasurer is sent to the OMGA Treasurer with all applicable receipts attached.

Reimbursements for up to $300 are allowable.
Deadlines for receipt of the reimbursement are determined by the OMGA Treasurer.

Extension Educator Grant

The OMGA Extension Education Grant Program has funds to help OSU Extension Community Horticulture Agents, Program Assistants, or designated OSU Extension Staff responsible for County Master Gardener programs enhance their ability to educate the public in home horticulture. Due Date for Submission is July 1, 2017.

The following are reference documents in Word or PDF format for the OMGA Extension Educator Grant

Send a Friend

The Send-A-Friend Scholarship Program was established in 2002. It is a scholarship program to help Master Gardeners from across the state attend Mini College who otherwise may not be able to attend due to financial situations. Funds are acquired by a annual raffle at Mini College and from individuals, MG chapters or corporate donations. Applicants must apply through their individual county chapters. Due Date for Submission is March 31, 2017.

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OMGA DISCLAIMER

Information provided on this Website is believed to be correct to the best of our knowledge.
OMGA does not endorse nor is it responsible for any content provided on third-party websites.
The OMGA assumes no responsibility for its accuracy, or that it will remain current at all times.

Use of Designation

The Master Gardener name is not a professional designation. Master Gardeners are only able to use this title when they are volunteering in a capacity sanctioned by their local Chapter. We take every precaution that the information provided has been researched from a credible and reliable source; and is provided with the best intentions. Master Gardeners provide advice to the public

OMGA and it’s affiliates, IRS 990, 990EZ and Oregon CT-12 are available for review upon request of the OMGA Treasurer or they may be on www.guidestar.com. First do a search using the terms “master gardener” and then on the new page, select Oregon as the state. You should see approx 26 listings.